Gambia Accuses US & UK of Coup Attempt

Yahya Jammeh seized power in a military coup in 1994 and is one of Africa’s longest-serving and most despotic rulers. (Source:AP Photo/Andrew Burton)

Gambia has accused Britain and the United States of organizing coup attempts and financing the opposition since President Yahya Jammeh took power in 1994.

A statement read on state television late Tuesday also alleges the two countries have mounted "a vigorous smear campaign consisting of outrageous lies and false allegations against The Gambia."

Gambia has been slamming Western powers in recent weeks, and it’s not clear why.

At the U.N. last month, Jammeh railed against the promotion of gay rights. Last week, the government announced it was leaving the Commonwealth, an organization composed largely of former British colonies, saying it would "never be a member of any neo-colonial institution."

The U.K. on Wednesday denied trying to destabilize Gambia. U.S. officials could not immediately be reached.

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